lhlefevre Interior Prairiescapes S3

A Note on Process:

Upon my return from that Art Institute visit, I took up with
hard board panels to explore how oil paint reacted to the
smooth absorbent surface. Some I painted raw, others I
gessoed. It was the first time I can recall feeling a fluidity
with paints that I had previously only experienced with
drawing. It was something akin to watercolor, but better.

As I progressed into the series I began to experience the
lulls that occur when redoing the same thing without
variation or inspiration. I needed to move beyond the
method and material and into the realm of greater
motivation for making art- letting go enough to be open to
self discovery.

The discovery I speak of does not manifest itself in the end
painting as a narrative. Rather, the discovery of self I refer to
is a process. It’s a way of being. It is the attempt to develop a
habit and practice of showing up to actively engage and
release mental preconceptions. It’s making the commitment
to something and following through to the end. It’s hanging
in there when there when total confusion sets in. That activity
I consider art. Whether I show up with a paint brush or
shovel if I am honestly engaged that is art. ‘Artist’ to me is
not what you do but how you consciously choose to live. To
be. It’s paying attention and attempting to remain open.

Enjoy.

When starting out on this creative adventure my intent was to
reacquaint myself with the landscape through a different
method of painting. Earlier in the year I went to see the
Rembrandt show at the Chicago Art Institute and was
impressed to discover he painted some of his work on wood
panels. For me these oils had a different quality than his
canvas paintings. There was a beauty in the flatness of the
surface. I had to give it a try...